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Etna*Explorer
Etna erupting at night: a lava fountain from the crater and an incandescent flow

Volcanological guides · Etna North

Discover the adventureon the world's mostactive volcano

Guided tours with certified volcanological guides, from Piano Provenzana to Etna's summit craters.

Altitude 1.800 → 2.800+ m

Who guides you

Certified volcanological guides

Volcanological guides are, together with alpine guides, the only professionals authorised and certified by law to lead groups on Italian volcanoes.

The Regional College of Alpine and Volcanological Guides of Sicily is the public body overseeing guide training, certification and professional standards.

Meet your guide

The tours

Three ways to meet the volcano

From a walk among the 2002 craters to the summit at 2,800 metres and beyond: every tour is guided, authentic and designed for a different fitness level.

Helmeted hikers in single file on the rim of an Etna summit crater, among sulfur-yellow rocks2,800 m

Summit Craters

The top of Europe's highest active volcano

A 4x4 bus ride up to 2,800 m followed by a guided trek towards Etna's summit craters with a certified volcanological guide.

Duration
≈ 5 hours
Difficulty
Price
120
The lava flow running between the craters at dusk, among steam and smoke1,800 m

Lava Flow Trek

Incandescent lava at sunset and after dark

A golden-hour ascent to 2,300 m above the Valle del Bove to watch the lava flow at sunset, descending by night with headlamps.

Duration
≈ 5 hours
Difficulty
Price
60
A group walking the volcanic trail under a clear sky1,800 m

2002 Craters

The craters of Etna North's last great eruption

A 3-hour trek through pine woods, lava flows and the four extinct craters of the 2002 eruption on Etna's northern slope.

Duration
≈ 3 hours
Difficulty
Price
35

The ascent

From Piano Provenzana to the summit

Every tour crosses the bands of a world that changes with altitude: forest, the 2002 lava, ash desert, summit craters.

Altitude2,800+m a.s.l.

  1. Forest · 1,800 m a.s.l.

    Piano Provenzana

    The journey starts at the Etna North square, among pine woods and Etna birches. Here you meet the guide, check your gear, and the climb begins.

  2. 2002 lava · 2,000 m a.s.l.

    The 2002 lava flow

    The forest stops abruptly: the 2002 eruption reshaped this slope. Extinct cones, lava channels, pines that survived the flow.

  3. Ash desert · 2,500 m a.s.l.

    The lunar landscape

    Above 2,300 metres vegetation disappears. What remains is ash, lapilli and wind: a black desert that changes colour with the light.

  4. Summit craters · 2,800+ m a.s.l.

    The summit

    The last stretch belongs to the fumaroles. On clear days, from the summit craters you can see the Ionian coast and the Aeolian Islands.

Quick comparison

Choose the right route for you

Duration, difficulty and price at a glance. Unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and the guide will suggest the right route.

ToursDurationDifficultyDeparturePrice
Summit Craters≈ 5 hours8:30 am120
Lava Flow Trek≈ 5 hours4:00 pm60
2002 Craters≈ 3 hours9:30 am35

Safety

The mountain decides, the guide translates

Weather and volcanic activity may change, postpone or cancel a tour: if that happens we refund or reschedule. Some medical conditions and pregnancy beyond two months do not allow participation.

Read safety & preparation

Frequently asked questions

Before you go

All FAQs
How can I book a tour?

You can book by messaging us on WhatsApp at +39 375 621 9075. We reply every day from 9am to 7pm.

Which payment methods do you accept?

Card or cash. Payment happens on the morning of the tour, at the meeting point.

What happens in case of bad weather or adverse conditions?

If a tour is cancelled due to weather or a change in volcanic risk, you choose: a full refund or a new date.

Will we be accompanied by certified guides?

Yes. All our tours are led by volcanological guides — together with alpine guides, the only professionals authorised by law to lead groups on Italian volcanoes.

Book your adventure on the world's most active volcano

Message us on WhatsApp: we reply every day from 9am to 7pm. Payment happens on the morning of the tour, by card or cash.

Piano Provenzana, Etna Nord — Linguaglossa (CT) · +39 375 621 9075 · Monday–Sunday, 9am–7pm